All Access readers! Get a head start on today’s #atxcouncil meeting with @lizpagano’s TipSheet. Read it here: https://t.co/PqlGLY1xMa February 02, 2017 09:45 AM
RT @MKanin: Looking for #atxcouncil live tweets? Follow @austinmonitor! #atxcouncil #atxgov February 02, 2017 09:45 AM
.@MayorAdler just read a tribute to Betty Baker, the long-time chair of ZAP who died the other day. Read obit here: https://t.co/nwmK30AnhR February 02, 2017 10:17 AM
Item 4
Item 4 & 16 postponed till Feb. 9. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:20 AM
Item 8
Item 8 postponed till Feb. 16 by request of @Oraatx1. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:20 AM
Item 43
Item 43 to be postponed till March 16. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:22 AM
Plan is to postpone controversial Elysium Park development. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:23 AM
Item 12
#ATXCouncil must take action on creation of new Emerg Serv District (item 12) by Feb. 14 so that election can be called. February 02, 2017 10:25 AM
Item 45
Debate over curbside textile recycling contract (item 45) set for 2 p.m. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:26 AM
Items 12, 40 and 45 are pulled. Pretty sparse agenda today. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:27 AM
Item 42
.@EllenforAustin asks for item 42 to be pulled: Would require Better Builder Program certification for expedited permits. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:29 AM
Gus Pena accuses @MayorAdler of making “erroneous statements” about number of homeless vets in Austin. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:33 AM
Speaker suggests North Village Library should be site for citizens to do #ATXCouncil citizen communication via video conferencing. February 02, 2017 10:35 AM
.@D5Kitchen says she will look into North Village video conferencing idea. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:36 AM
Final: Items 12, 40, 42, 45, pulled for discussion. And 56 will be discussed at 4 p.m. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:40 AM
Items that will be postponed: 4, 8, 16, 21. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:40 AM
.@kathietovo has a few questions about lease of a 3,000 sq ft office for 5 years for prosecutors in city law dept. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:43 AM
Staff says that #ATXCouncil not locked into 5 yr lease if it decides to stop funding at any point for office space. February 02, 2017 10:44 AM
Staff appears to have satisfied @kathietovo on issue of office space. Consent agenda unanimously approved. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:45 AM
Item 12
Now begins discussion on Emergency Service District 4 (Item 12). #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:45 AM
Whoops, it’s Emergency Service District 15, not ESD 4. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:46 AM
Statute requires consent of all cities that have limits or ETJ within proposed Emer Service District. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:47 AM
Speaker: We’re asking city’s permission for voters to participate in election in May to create emergency services district. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:47 AM
Emergency Service District 15 will actually be the 16th ESD. #atxcouncil #dontask February 02, 2017 10:50 AM
If approved by voters, ESD 15 will be responsible for fire, but ESD 11 will take care of EMS. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:52 AM
.@EllenforAustin is voting against ESD 15 because she says city created problem by annexing property from ESD 11. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:54 AM
Item 12
Item 12 passes 10-1, with only @EllenforAustin voting no. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 10:55 AM
Item 40
#ATXCouncil now taking up Item 40 to require new construction to be solar-ready. February 02, 2017 10:59 AM
Mayor Pro Tem @kathietovo does not like that resolution refers to environmental goals & affordability goals as “competing.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:00 AM
.@CM_Renteria disagrees w/Tovo. Likely won’t support resolution unless it mentions affordability as potential competing interest w/solar. February 02, 2017 11:03 AM
.@kathietovo amendt passes. Tovo, Pool, Houston, Garza, Alter, Kitchen support. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:04 AM
Item 40
Now @MayorAdler pushing to postpone Item 40 now b/c of Tovo’s amendt. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:05 AM
.@LesliePoolATX “This does not put solar panels on ppl’s roofs. Makes possible for u to do installation.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:06 AM
.@LesliePoolATX says making homes solar-ready saves people $ when they want to put solar panels in place. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:06 AM
.@LesliePoolATX likens solar ready requirement to having gas & electric outlets for dryers. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:07 AM
.@MayorAdler says Tovo amendt changed direction of resolution from initiating research process to “prescribing policy.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:08 AM
.@D5Kitchen says resolution is not “prescriptive.” Boards & Commissions free to come to dif conclusions than #atxcouncil. February 02, 2017 11:09 AM
Leslie Libby of Libby Solar addressing #atxcouncil. Says many ppl who want solar panels can’t b/c of building vents. February 02, 2017 11:11 AM
Leslie Libby, solar contractor, says the solar-ready requirement “very modest.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:12 AM
.@austinenergy approved 1,000 applications for solar panels for homes & businesses last year: https://t.co/BVQLg8nL8i #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:14 AM
.@kaibawhite of Public Citizen says that solar is reducing costs, not increasing costs. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:16 AM
Public Citizen’s @KaibaWhite says that builders view solar-ready requirement as “not a big deal at all.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:17 AM
.@MayorAdler still not psyched about resolution he sees as too prescriptive and excludes concerns about affordability. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:19 AM
.@MayorAdler thinks that the Tovo amndt fundamentally changed resolution on solar-ready. Thinks unfair to public process. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:21 AM
.@MayorAdler doesn’t want to send mssg to commissions that they must support solar-ready requirement. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:22 AM
Glen Coleman says homebuilders have supported solar requirements in other markets, “irritated” that they have to oppose. #atxcoucil February 02, 2017 11:24 AM
Homebuilders: Only reason we oppose solar ready requirement is b/c of Austin’s plumbing code. Austin is on uniform code, not intl code. February 02, 2017 11:26 AM
.@LesliePoolATX rejects homebuilders reasoning. “Uniform plumbing code does not hinder solar-ready.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:27 AM
.@MayorAdler “I didn’t know till this morning that there was a plumbing code, plumbers issue.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:29 AM
.@Alison_Alter wonders how much the solar-ready requirement would cost for avg home. Homebuilder rep says estimate = $1,500. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:31 AM
Homebuilder rep: Solar-ready cost will drop, which is why we’re OK with it in San Antonio. But too pricey in Austin b/c of plumbing code. February 02, 2017 11:33 AM
Homebuilders say Austin sticking w/uniform plumbing code drives up costs. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:34 AM
An Adler amnt directing commissions to consider alternatives passes unanimously. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:35 AM
.@EllenforAustin “Lot of ppl in Austin who care about cost of living…who don’t know they have to show up for board..” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:37 AM
Solar-ready resolution passes 9-2, w/@EllenforAustin & @CM_Renteria in dissent. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:37 AM
Item 40
Item 40 passes. yeas: 9 February 02, 2017 11:38 AM
Now we got a presentation on Emergency Service District 4, which has been chopped up by ATX annexations. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:40 AM
AFD explaining different options for shoring up ESD4. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:47 AM
Emergency Service Districts have increasingly been split up as Austin has expanded and annexed area. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:49 AM
AFD recommends that ESD4 stays in place. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:50 AM
AFD recommends city funding 30 firefighter positions for ESD4. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 11:51 AM
.@Alison_Alter has concerns about physical requirements & how they may impact diversity in AFD. More on this here: https://t.co/WYmX9GVvdv February 02, 2017 11:57 AM
Former firefighter @DGarzaforD2 also concerned about ESD4 firefighters being subjected to 1.5 mile run in 12 minutes test. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 12:00 PM
.@DGarzaforD2 says about 1.5 mile run requirement….”I never had to run mile and half on the fire ground.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 12:00 PM
.@DGarzaforD2 “I’ve never run an 8 min mile in my life and I hope I was considered a good firefighter.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 12:01 PM
RT @lump_atx: @austinmonitor @DGarzaforD2 she was! February 02, 2017 12:03 PM
OK, that’s it for the am session! #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 12:04 PM
CodeNEXT draft presented to land use commissions. Read more: https://t.co/inmzbomrDu #atxgov February 02, 2017 12:10 PM
Hey all, we are back and talking expedited permitting! #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 01:23 PM
Right now, @EllenforAustin is wondering whether the resolution should namecheck @workersdefense specifically. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 01:24 PM
@GregCasar argues identifying the better builder program makes it clearer that there will be a 3rd party “verifier,” not city #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 01:30 PM
Everyone kind of agrees that this can be hashed out at the ordinance stage, looks like. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 01:32 PM
Item 42
Item 42 passes 10-1, Troxclair voting against. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 01:37 PM
Okay. We are in recess until 2:00. Live it up! #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 01:37 PM
Not quite back yet… but I’m tuned in and listening to ATXN radio in the meantime. #sacrificesmade #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:07 PM
We’re back, with @kathietovo in charge. Seems like it might be a quick “taking care of business” thing. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:14 PM
Items 54 & 55 postponed one week, 57 (Austin Oaks PUD) ppd two weeks. Unanimous with @kathietovo recused. February 02, 2017 02:17 PM
Item 45
Now we are on to Item 45. As @MayorAdler explained it’s the “textile deal.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:17 PM
It’s going to be up in about five, if you want to get a snack. February 02, 2017 02:18 PM
Break long enough to hear the entirety of “broke down daddy.” Thanks, #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:23 PM
Item 45
We’re back! Item 45. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:35 PM
@EllenforAustin acknowledges this is a tough issue, given the standing contract, env. concerns and non profit woes. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:36 PM
@EllenforAustin makes a motion to wait 6 mos, when there will be more data. (Goes along with her push for “data-driven decision making”) February 02, 2017 02:37 PM
First speaker, Fred Blunt (?) says there is a conflict between zero waste goals and affordability. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:40 PM
Huh. I didn’t know we were still considering “wayward girls” a problem. February 02, 2017 02:43 PM
Deena Houston says she met for two hours this past week to come up with solutions to the conflict between simple recycling & nonprofits. February 02, 2017 02:45 PM
… and the non-profits concluded simple recycling was hurting their mission. February 02, 2017 02:45 PM
Asks #atxcouncil to continue the program with simple recycling. February 02, 2017 02:46 PM
Salvation Army adult rehab center now up to talk simple recycling. February 02, 2017 02:49 PM
Simple Recycling, complicated problem. Read more (via @JoClifton78704): https://t.co/0jZWfNqViB #atxgov February 02, 2017 02:50 PM
“The problem you have created is bigger than the problem you set out to solve,” she says, and asks for the contract to be cancelled. February 02, 2017 02:51 PM
This salvation army rep says they will accepet the 6mos delay, reluctantly, but we “risk bankrupting our community.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 02:56 PM
Assistance League also asking for the contract to be cancelled, over fears it will bankrupt them, but will take 6 mo delay. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 03:05 PM
eraycollins "Their mission wasn’t reaching me. I didn’t clean my closet until simplerecycling gave me a bag and picked it up. @austinmonitor"
@eraycollins I guess that’s why they are considering the “more data” route? (My closet is a mess too. : ) February 02, 2017 03:06 PM
“It might cost a million dollars to cancel this contract… but we give back many times over a million a year.” February 02, 2017 03:08 PM
@Alison_Alter asking “why six months?” and @CM_Renteria is kind of like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ but he thinks its enough time to get enough info. February 02, 2017 03:15 PM
Also, @CM_Renteria lets it be known that he “recycles his socks.” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 03:16 PM
Todd Marvin with Easter Seals Texas now up, also asking for the contract to be cancelled. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 03:17 PM
@andrewdobbstx with TX Campaign for the Env. backs the contract, pending some evidence it is actually harming nonprofits. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 03:20 PM
Dobbs makes the point that there should be some literature to let people know where things go when they are collected by the city, though. February 02, 2017 03:21 PM
Traci Berry, Goodwill of Central Texas, also asks for the contract to be cancelled. February 02, 2017 03:27 PM
Berry says that only 19 percent — 3300 tons — of textiles aren’t recycled now, and asks #atxcouncil to count on nonprofits to fix the prob February 02, 2017 03:29 PM
austinmonitor "Berry says that only 19 percent — 3300 tons — of textiles aren’t recycled now, and asks #atxcouncil to count on nonprofits to fix the prob"
@austinmonitor oops! 3300 tons ARE recycled. February 02, 2017 03:29 PM
@AustinGoodwill really bringing the data here! Charts! Graphs! And a commitment to zero waste as an organization. February 02, 2017 03:32 PM
Ah. Now talking Request For Proposal process, which is pretty interesting. Seems like there will be more about that later… #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 03:41 PM
Berry says that simple recycling isn’t doing anything they can’t do. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 03:44 PM
This speaker has done some major detective work on the company behind simple recycling. (I grew up next to Solon, Ohio, the nexxus.) February 02, 2017 03:54 PM
eraycollins "I do know of an example in which ARC chose money over zero waste goal. @eraycollins @austinmonitor"
@eraycollins Do tell! February 02, 2017 03:57 PM
TravCo Judge Eckhardt accuses Gov Abbott of “retribution.” Read more (via @cubbie9000) https://t.co/3GNqJXLWka #atxgov February 02, 2017 04:00 PM
Simple Recycling up now,explaining what they do. February 02, 2017 04:03 PM
Simple Recycling operates in over 50 communities, speaker says this is the first time there has been an outcry like this. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 04:04 PM
Simple Recycling says the RFP process was fair, and they aren’t here to hurt charities. February 02, 2017 04:06 PM
Simple Recycling says that nonprofits in those other communities are doing just fine. Even “flourishing” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 04:07 PM
@kathietovo asks about the collection through plastic bags, which have been banned in Austin. February 02, 2017 04:12 PM
Simple Recycling guy says they “have been made with recycled content” and are recycled at ARR. Confirms they are (banned!) single-use bags February 02, 2017 04:14 PM
Back to the RFP process– it went out to a list of people that had registered previously. I guess it’s a long list, includes Goodwill February 02, 2017 04:24 PM
However, there were not discussions with nonprofits before the RFP was launched. February 02, 2017 04:26 PM
Item 58
Quick break to postpone item 58 — about preservation of civic buildings. Council votes to postpone indefinitely. February 02, 2017 04:28 PM
Council is in executive session to have a quick discussion and to return me to ATXN radio. February 02, 2017 04:30 PM
Austin not-so-ready for rooftop solar? Read more (via @MoseBuchele & our partnership with @KUT): https://t.co/45bwZ039Jz #atxgov February 02, 2017 05:00 PM
Item 59
Council is back.. kind of. Some of Council still writing, so they are going to try & hear speakers on Item 59 now. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 05:26 PM
This item concerns the rehab of Gaston Place, in Windsor Park at 1941 Gaston Place. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 05:28 PM
Gaston Place is an affordable housing project, and residents are speaking in favor of rehabilitation. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 05:33 PM
Item 59
Item 59 passes unanimously, with @GregCasar off the dais. February 02, 2017 05:38 PM
Whispers: 50 more yrs for Zilker kites; Weber out as ZAP chair; Baker’s funeral set. Read more: https://t.co/ECNmRPfJGP #atxgov February 02, 2017 05:50 PM
Land use commissions get their first look at CodeNEXT. Read more: https://t.co/cLLiEPov8W #atxgov February 02, 2017 06:30 PM
We are back and there’s some tricky timing afoot. Going to do some of the zoning case (Elysium Park) and return to Simple Recycle. February 02, 2017 06:40 PM
Item 56
So, okay, here’s at least part of Item 56 for y’all. #atxcouncil This has a valid petition against, will take nine votes to approve. February 02, 2017 06:41 PM
This will be a 90 unit affordable housing project. Both dev and neighbors have presentations, with lots of ppl signed up to talk. February 02, 2017 06:44 PM
Math break! #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 06:44 PM
Dave Anderson up now to talk. Hey! I just realized it is this case! https://t.co/lly7XfVjxG February 02, 2017 06:47 PM
Anderson laying down the stats now. 66 percent of units at 30 and 50 percent MFI, an important affordability level in the city. February 02, 2017 06:49 PM
This is essentially a redux of the project from last year that didn’t get the tax credits due to the lack of state rep’s endorsement. February 02, 2017 06:50 PM
“I have said a four-letter word: home,” speaker now talking about how neighborhoods generally recoil from multifamily projects. February 02, 2017 06:52 PM
Project will have on-site programs and training for residents and “broad range of affordability” and green dev. practices. And art. February 02, 2017 06:53 PM
Also claims “zoning isn’t the fun part,” which is a weird thing to say. #zoningmatters #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 06:54 PM
More math! Seven speakers, 36 minutes! February 02, 2017 06:59 PM
Susan Hensley up first, opposed to Elysium Park, reading a statement of opposition from the Northwood Neighborhood. February 02, 2017 07:01 PM
Arguing that the project isn’t close to anything, and there is no mapped plan for the area. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:03 PM
Housing project classified as “interrupting the neighborhoods” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:07 PM
Jean, neighbor, says she is in favor of the development. says plenty of services including hospital and fire station in walking distance. February 02, 2017 07:09 PM
RT @KUT: Testimony regarding #SB4, the bill that cuts funding to #sanctuarycities, is still going on at the Capitol. WATCH: https://t.co/ZY… February 02, 2017 07:10 PM
Neighbors are also concerned about traffic in neighborhoods. And safety. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:12 PM
Speaker says (yells) it doesn’t matter that the roads are technically big enough to handle cars, will increase dangers of road. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:14 PM
Quick speaker, says she was homeless until apartments came up, and points out there are many people in the city who could benefit from apts February 02, 2017 07:18 PM
Now speaker, opposed, worries about flooding and fire, and increased dangers from more dense development, everyone trying to exit at once. February 02, 2017 07:19 PM
Craig Shepard up now with a presentation of concerns about Elysium. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:26 PM
Shepard is stressing the dangers of walking, calling the area a “frightening and dangerous place” for pedestrians. February 02, 2017 07:28 PM
Nancy Moreno, a resident at a similar project, speaks in favor and tries to explain why people may need affordable housing #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:33 PM
Ed English up now, pointing to different tracts that would be better for this development. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:38 PM
Greg Anderson points out it’s hard to find land in the city, and affordable housing projects west of MoPac are rare #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 07:47 PM
Speaker up now says he is “taking the unusual step of knocking his neighborhood,” but gotta say no one is really selling the area tonight. February 02, 2017 07:55 PM
Developer says there are “449,000 jobs within a ten-mile radius” #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:03 PM
@Alison_Alter expresses concern that plans could change, and something else could be built. Dev. says they are willing to commit. February 02, 2017 08:07 PM
Greg Guernsey explains the city cannot require aff housing. Talking mechanisms to do that. February 02, 2017 08:09 PM
@LesliePoolATX says she understands how unpopular it is with neighborhood, but says it will be developed, and better a place for families February 02, 2017 08:13 PM
@LesliePoolATX also stresses the other benefits, most importantly affordable housing. Makes a motion to approve on first reading. February 02, 2017 08:15 PM
eraycollins "Where on map? Address? Trying to dredge up out of my memory. @austinmonitor"
cubbie9000 "And, brother, tonight I have to write."
@cubbie9000 You can do it, champ! February 02, 2017 08:17 PM
@GregCasar agrees with @LesliePoolATX , except for the fact that he doesn’t think it’s a hard decision at all. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:19 PM
@GregCasar “Objectively, in the world of zoning cases we deal with, this is not hard.” February 02, 2017 08:20 PM
Looks like this is over but for the speeches, which are almost half over. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:21 PM
Chuck Lesniak explains the env concerns will be addressed at site plan. February 02, 2017 08:29 PM
Item 56
Item 56 passes on first reading, unanimously. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:29 PM
Back to textiles, folks. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:30 PM
Sorry, #atxcounc talking about some printed motions (and putting stars on them) but tbh, I am home with a cough. So I can’t read the paper. February 02, 2017 08:31 PM
Yay! @Oraatx1 is putting it on the projector. #thanksora #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:33 PM
Basically, these are all details about the plan to gather data for six months and then come back for a decision about the program. February 02, 2017 08:34 PM
Guys, I hope you are ready for some robust textile collection data. #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:35 PM
This resolution is going to include a donation education outreach component, staff might need a little more than 30 days #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:38 PM
We support @kathietovo ‘s comma advocacy, for the record. February 02, 2017 08:40 PM
Unanimous. We’ll talk textiles again in six months or so. Also, meeting adjourned at a really decent hour! #atxcouncil February 02, 2017 08:48 PM